Having some cushions on your rattan garden chair will make sitting on it easier. Friends and family will thank you because they can now enjoy your garden view for a longer period of time. Cushions also add some personality and style to your furniture. The good news is that there are many furniture fabrics to choose from. If you want something durable, water proof or stain proof, here are some choices that will make maintenance easier for you.
Solution-Dyed Acrylic
Solution-dyed acrylic is a fabric dyed first with acrylic and then woven into cloth. The fiber stats off as colorless and then dyed to a color. This type of fabric absorbs the dye through and through so it won't fade easily when exposed to sunlight. Aside from this, it is a durable material making it suitable for outdoor use.
Sunbrella
Sunbrella has been synonymous to outdoor fabric for so long; many have forgotten that it is actually a brand. The company used to manufacture awnings but have branched out to making high-performance outdoor furniture since 1961. They manufacture fabric in different colors and designs and lots of people use them for indoor and outdoor furniture cushions. It is the ideal cushion cover for garden furniture because it is fade, stain and mildew resistant.
Oil Cloth
Also referred to as canvass that has been treated with linseed oil, this waterproof fabric is perfect for garden use. You won't have to worry about getting it wet when watering because you will only need to wipe it down and it will be ready for use. Aside from the garden it makes good fabric for rattan pool recliners.
more on oil cloth: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oilcloth
Duck Cloth
This cloth is like canvass only more tightly woven making it an even more durable material. In some cases, the duck cloth has been treated so it is waterproof as well. This makes a good choice as rattan garden furniture fabric because it repels water (if waterproofed), is durable and if treated mildew resistant perfect for damp conditions of some gardens.
Acrylic Coated Polyester
Many people like to leave their garden furniture out so having cushions covered with acrylic coated polyester will make it resistant to fading, mold and mildew. The acrylic is coated on the inside of the fabric making it can withstand tearing, rubbing and poking. There are even manufacturers that coat both sides to make it extra-durable.
DIY Treatment
There are products that can make your fabric more durable, waterproof, stain resistant or fade resistant. Products like NeverWet or ScotchGuard can be applied to your fabric to make them waterproof. There is also anti-static treatment to make fabric dust proof. Depending on what you need, there might be specialty products you can use to DIY your fabric without needing to change it.
Knowing what kind of material you need to use for your garden furniture is important. If you own rattan cube garden furniture for example, you will want to preserve it so you will enjoy it for a longer period of time. The fabric of the cushion will also make cleaning and maintenance easier on your part. The store that sells outdoor cushions should be able to tell you what kind of fabric is best for your rattan furniture.
An excellent reference for all types of garden furniture: The Garden And Patio Home Guide